HMS Illustrious, a 74-gun third rateship of the line and the second of that name, was built by Randall & Brent at Rotherhithe where her keel was laid in February 1801. Launched on 3 September 1803, she was completed at Woolwich.[1][2] She was first commissioned for the Channel Fleet under Captain Sir Charles Hamilton and was involved in the Battle of the Basque Roads in 1809, in which she won a battle honour, and in the expeditions against the docks at Antwerp and render the Schelde unnavigable to French ships. On 22 November 1810, Illustrious was amongst the fleet that captured Île de France on 3 December.[Note 1] She then took part in the Invasion of Java (1811) in Indonesia. She was refitted at Portsmouth (1813–17) and then laid up in reserve until recommissioned in 1832. She was laid up again in 1845, and later used as a guard ship, a hospital ship and, lastly, in 1854 she became a gunnery training ship and continued as one until she was broken up in 1868 in Portsmouth.[1][2]
The figurehead shows a bust depicting HM King George III(1738–1820). The original design, held within the collection at The National Archives, was submitted by Edward Hellyer of Hellyer & Sons, Portsmouth in June 1808.[5] It depicted George III wearing a breastplate and crown and was designed at a price of £24 (approximately £2,102 today).[6] Hellyer was only allowed £21 (around £1,840).[7]
Hellyer submitted another figurehead design in 1816, suggesting the first was damaged in the invasion of Java in 1811. This design showed the King in an ermine cape with the insignia of the Order of the Garter, at an estimate of £21 (approximately £1,745). This design was rejected in favour of a coat of arms, for which Edward Hellyer was only allowed £16 (£1,330).[8] Records do not show when the surviving figurehead was carved, though it must have been before the death of King George III in 1820.[9]
Unlike earlier figureheads depicting the monarch, this figurehead depicts him wearing a laurel wreath, the symbol of triumph.[10] It is also a symbol of academia in some cultures, and King George III was known to have a scientific mind, studying astrology, chemistry and physics among other subjects.
The figurehead can be seen on display at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth.[11] It can also be viewed alongside other figureheads within the collection on the Bloomberg Connects website and app.
Notes
↑ The Admiral's share of the prize money was £2650 5s 2d. A first-class share was worth £278 19s 5¾d; a sixth-class share, that of an ordinary seaman, was worth £3 7s 6¼d.[3] A fourth and final payment was made in July 1828. A first-class share was worth £29 19s 5¼d; a sixth-class share was worth 8s 2½d. This time, Admiral Bertie received £314 14s 3½d.[4]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
United Kingdom 